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NTSB finding · Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance

All 52 cases36 in the probable cause
Cases
52
In the probable cause
36 (69%)
Fatal cases
2
NTSB code
03022050

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008. Earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes, so they aren’t counted here.

When and where

In green, cases where NTSB made it part of the probable cause; in gray, a factor or other finding. Findings are coded with the final report, often a year or more after the event, so the latest years are incomplete.

Cases per year

2008In the probable causeFactor only2026

Where

Open the map
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT year(c.\"eventDate\") AS year, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases,
    count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) FILTER (WHERE f.\"inProbableCause\") AS in_probable_cause
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = f.case_mkey
  WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '03022050') AND c.\"eventDate\" >= DATE '2000-01-01'
  GROUP BY 1
  ORDER BY 1"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

In the same cases

Defining events
Aircraft models

Aircraft matched to the registry by N-number and date.

Other findings
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH matched AS (SELECT DISTINCT case_mkey, aircrafts_position FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' WHERE starts_with(\"findingCode\", '03022050'))
  SELECT * FROM (
  SELECT 'Defining event' AS kind, e.\"tier2Number\" AS code, max(e.\"eventTier2Name\") AS name, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e ON e.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = f.aircrafts_position AND e.\"isDefiningEvent\"
  WHERE e.\"tier2Number\" <> ''
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Aircraft model', a.aircraft_model_code, any_value(concat_ws(' ', m.manufacturer, m.model)), count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey)
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND a.position = f.aircrafts_position
  LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model.parquet' m ON m.code = a.aircraft_model_code
  WHERE a.aircraft_model_code IS NOT NULL
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Other finding', left(g.\"findingCode\", 8), max(g.\"tier4Name\"), count(DISTINCT g.case_mkey)
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' g
  WHERE g.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM matched) AND NOT starts_with(g.\"findingCode\", '03022050') AND g.\"findingCode\" GLOB '[0-9][0-9]*'
  GROUP BY ALL
  )
  QUALIFY row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY kind ORDER BY cases DESC) <= 10
  ORDER BY kind, cases DESC"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Newest cases · 52

NTSB ERA26LA285Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Tuscumbia, ALThe pilot’s failure to keep the tail rotor clear of an obstacle while attempting to land.Jul 29, 2026 · N29AE · Substantial damageNTSB ERA26LA141Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 180 · Charleston, WVThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a helicopter dolly during taxi.Mar 5, 2026 · N2648Y · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA103Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAmazon.Com Services MK30 · Pendleton, ORThe unmanned aircraft system’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.Feb 21, 2025 · N265PA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN24LA259Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Thorntown, INThe pilot’s failure to ensure that the load hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control after liftoff and a hard landing.Jul 8, 2024 · N206WX · Substantial damageNTSB ANC24FA038Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Richvale, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a trailer located on the edge of the runway during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the location of the trailer on the side of the runway.May 28, 2024 · N3629Y · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA069Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportTaylorcraft BC12-D · Whitefish, MTThe failure of the airport authorities to renew the airport closure NOTAM for the airport. Contributing to the accident, was the pilot’s inability to see the runway closure sign.Dec 23, 2023 · N43415 · Substantial damageNTSB DCA24LA034Incident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBoeing 717 · Kahului, HIThe captain did not verify that the tow tractor had exited the area in front of the airplane before taxiing for departure. Contributing factors were the dark conditions and the absence of an illuminated hazard beacon on the tow tractor, which reduced its…Nov 30, 2023 · N494HA · Minor damageNTSB ANC23LA085Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · Johnson River, AKThe ground crew’s failure to remain clear of a tag line during sling load operations, resulting in his entanglement.Sep 16, 2023 · N297SH · No damageNTSB CEN23LA385Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 206 · Hibbing, MNThe ground crew’s failure to secure the backpack at the landing zone (LZ), that resulted in the tail rotor impacting the backpack during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate selection of an area at the LZ, the lack of awareness…Aug 27, 2023 · N19BH · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA319Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchleicher ASW-19B · Elbert, COThe pilot’s misidentification of the runway during the visual approach which resulted in an off runway landing and impact with a trailer.Jul 10, 2022 · N53JC · Substantial damage
See all 52 cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '03022050'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.